Vibration tamper

Abstract

A hand-guided vibration tamper, which is driven by a motor laterally cantilevered on the tamper head, is provided with guard plates covering its underside and lateral sides. The underside and lateral guard plates are connected to a housing for the motor, and the underside guard plate is fastened near its free end to the motor and/or an air circulation hood for the motor. Preferably, the underside guard plate is a thick-walled aluminum plate screwed together with the lateral guard plates and extends beyond to protect the air circulation hood with its extension. Advantageously, the motor is also protected by a substantially closed, upper covering connected to the lateral guard plates.

I claim:  
     
       1. A hand-guided vibration tamper, comprising a tamper foot, a tamper head, and a motor laterally cantilevered on the tamper head) for driving the tamper, wherein the motor has a housing and an air circulation hood and is covered on its under and lateral sides by guard plates, wherein the underside guard plate and the lateral guard plates are connected to the housing, and wherein the underside guard plate is fastened near its free end to the air circulation hood) of the motor. 
     
     
       2. The vibration tamper according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral guard plates are screwed together with the underside guard plate. 
     
     
       3. The vibration tamper according to  claim 1 , wherein the underside guard plate comprises a thick-walled aluminum plate. 
     
     
       4. The vibration tamper according to  claim 1 , wherein the underside guard plate is bent up on both sides. 
     
     
       5. The vibration tamper according to  claim 1 , wherein the underside guard plate has an extension beyond the air circulation hood and protects the air circulation hood with this extension. 
     
     
       6. The vibration tamper according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral guard plates are connected in their upper regions with a common upper covering for the motor. 
     
     
       7. The vibration tamper according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper covering is substantially closed. 
     
     
       8. The vibration tamper according to  claim 6 , wherein the upper covering has at least partially bent down side edges. 
     
     
       9. The vibration tamper according to  claim 1 , wherein said motor further comprises a carburetor and/or a muffler and wherein at least one of the lateral guard plates extends up to a level of the carburetor and/or the muffler. 
     
     
       10. The vibration tamper according to  claim 9 , wherein the one lateral guard plate protects operating elements for the carburetor. 
     
     
       11. The vibration tamper according to  claim 1 , wherein the underside guard plate is fastened to the air circulation hood via an upwardly bent tongue. 
     
     
       12. A method for compacting earth or other material utilizing a hand-guided vibration tamper, comprising: 
       compacting earth or other material utilizing a vibration tamper comprising a tamper foot, a tamper head, and a motor laterally cantilevered on the tamper head for driving the tamper, wherein the motor has a housing and an air circulation hood and is covered on its under and lateral sides by guard plates, wherein the underside guard plate and the lateral guard plates are connected to the housing, and wherein the underside guard plate is fastened near its free end to the air circulation hood of the motor; and  
       protecting the motor and it components from contacting debris during operation via the lateral side guard plates and the underside guard plate.  
     
     
       13. A hand-guided vibration tamper, comprising: 
       means for compacting earth or other material comprising a tamper foot, a tamper head, and a motor laterally cantilevered on the tamper head for driving the tamper, wherein the motor has a housing and an air circulation hood and is covered on its under and lateral sides by guard plates, wherein the underside guard plate and the lateral guard plates are connected to the housing, and wherein the underside guard plate is fastened near its free end to the air circulation hood of the motor; and  
       means for protecting the motor and it components from contacting debris during operation via the lateral side guard plates and the underside guard plate.